Carpal Boss and the guitar player. Expert advice
Musicians and Carpal Boss: A Discordant Duet For musicians, their hands (and minds) are their most valuable tools. Whether they play the piano, guitar, violin, or any other instrument, the intricate movements required demand a high level of hand and thumb dexterity. What is carpal bossing? This is an accurate description taken from wikipedia: “Carpometacarpal bossing (or metacarpal/carpal bossing) is a small, immovable mass of bone on the back of the wrist. The mass occurs in one of the joints between the carpus and metacarpus of the hand, called the carpometacarpal joints, where a small immovable protuberance[1] occurs when this joint becomes swollen or bossed.” Carpal Boss(ing) can be especially troublesome for musicians, as it directly impacts their ability to perform. Here are some of the challenges they face: Confusion: The difference between a carpal boss and a ganglion cyst is that a carpal boss is a hardened area, while a ganglion cyst feels softer to the touch. This is because it contains a jelly-like fluid rather than a bony substance. If you try to use the “bible method” of pounding a ganglion cyst on a carpal boss, you will likely have a very unpleasant, unsuccessful, destructive experience. Proper diagnosis is...
read morePreparing your body for skiing in Maine. Prepare for skiing in Maine with Chiropractic care.
Skiing in Maine is only fun if you can actually go. If you can’t stand up, look down, turn your head, lift your leg, sleep, or drive your car… You won’t be able to ski. Seeing a chiropractor before the ski season can offer several potential benefits, especially if you have pre-existing musculoskeletal issues or want to optimize your physical condition for skiing. Here are some potential benefits of seeing a chiropractor before hitting the slopes: Pain Relief:Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, and joint discomfort. They do this without the use of drugs or surgery. If you have any pre-existing pain or discomfort, a chiropractor can help alleviate these issues, making your ski experience more enjoyable. Improved Joint Mobility: Chiropractic adjustments can enhance joint mobility, particularly in the spine, hips, and knees. Improved joint mobility can enhance your range of motion and flexibility, which is beneficial for skiing. Improved joint mobility may also lead to better stability and coordination of your body’s position and responsiveness. Spinal joints have lots of position receptors. Enhanced Balance and Coordination: Chiropractic care can help improve your proprioception (your body’s sense of its position...
read moreWhat kind of damage can flat feet cause? Pronation and Pain in Portland, Maine
If your feet and ankles roll inward (pronate), you could be headed over the cliff. Foot pronation, especially overpronation, can lead to various risks and complications. Overpronation occurs when the arches of the foot collapse excessively inward during the gait cycle, and even when standing still. While some degree of pronation is common, pronation can cause problems. Here is a partial list of the risks associated with foot pronation. They are common enough, that if you are experiencing any of them, you should have your feet and ankles assessed by a professional. You may only be a new pair of shoes away from relief of symptoms and less stress on your body. Foot Pain: Pronation can lead to pain in the feet, especially around the arches and heels. Plantar Fasciitis: Pronation can strain the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. This can result in plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain, arch pain, and difficulty walking. Sometimes plantar fasciitis will lead to cramping in the bottoms of the feet. Achilles Tendonitis: The excessive rolling of the foot can also put added stress on the Achilles tendon, potentially causing inflammation and pain....
read moreBarefoot Shoes vs. Arch Support Shoes: Choosing the Right Footwear for You
The debate over barefoot shoes vs. arch support shoes is a sweaty one. When it comes to choosing footwear, the options seem endless. One common debate revolves around barefoot shoes and shoes with arch support. These two types of footwear cater to different needs, expectations, and preferences. In this post, we’ll explore the cases made for each and help you decide which might be the right fit for you. Barefoot Shoes: Embrace Natural Movement Barefoot shoes, as the name suggests, aim to replicate the sensation of walking or running barefoot. Here’s why they might be a great choice: Natural Movement: Barefoot shoes are designed with minimal cushioning and no arch support. This design encourages your feet to move more naturally, allowing your muscles to work as they were intended to. Improved Balance and Posture: By mimicking the natural gait of barefoot walking, these shoes may enhance your balance and posture. They encourage a more stable and aligned foot placement if your consciousness overrides any abnormal biomechanics, potentially reducing the risk of certain foot and joint problems. If the biomechanics and integrity of your feet is excellent, which for most is not the case, then you may reap the benefit...
read moreWhat Is Causing My Severe Back Spams? Dr. Lou – Portland, Maine
What is causing my muscle spasms? You will find a list of more common causes of severe muscle spasms below. It is important to rule them out from least consuming to most, unless your symptoms are very extreme. For example, starting with electrolyte replenishment and ending with a trip to the neurologist. Leg Cramps and Muscle Spasms are different, but often confused as the same thing. If you are experiencing cramps (Charley Horses), watch the video below. Muscle spasms occur for various reasons and can range from mild discomfort to more severe cases that lead to immobility. Some of the potential causes of muscle spasms that could lead to immobility include: Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance: Lack of proper hydration and imbalances in essential electrolytes such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium can lead to muscle cramps and spasms. Severe imbalances can result in more intense and prolonged spasms that may affect movement. Great options for electrolyte replenishment are products like G2 and other gatorade products, and coconut water. Eating more vegetables is always a great idea. Water alone will not provide you with the electrolytes you need. Overuse or Fatigue: Excessive physical activity, especially if muscles are not conditioned...
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